1. Seeing that new content was published, and the skill points not yet fully implemented, is the completion of skill point implementation now a lower priority to other things, or is it still at the head of the queue?2. Are we expecting a return of frusion foes any time in the future? The storyline suggested a return every year.3. Long time since we saw Buzzkill's Army (last visit was 11-07-08). Are they still around?4. Planning ahead for retcon, is transmog still going to be available?

SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hello, and welcome to Tea Time with Ryme ...SYSTEM MESSAGE: an online chat session with me, the guy who puts all the bugs into the game.[N] blackmatter615: Muhandes posted 4 questions on the forum[N] blackmatter615: 1. Seeing that new content was published, and the skill points not yet fully implemented, is the completion of skill point implementation now a lower priority to other things, or is it still at the head of the queue?[N] Ryme: It's still up there. Basically I stopped when I couldn't figure out what to do with the remining few. Still working on them.[N] blackmatter615: 2. Are we expecting a return of frusion foes any time in the future? The storyline suggested a return every year.[N] Ryme: I'd say an occasional frusion outbreak is likely. Probably not as big as the initial one, or as long. Likely roughly once per year.[N] blackmatter615: 3. Long time since we saw Buzzkill's Army (last visit was 11-07-08). Are they still around?[N] Ryme: I keep meaning to bring them back out. They're very likely to make an appearance this year. Didn't want to wear them out by usign them too often.[N] blackmatter615: 4. Planning ahead for retcon, is transmog still going to be available?[N] Ryme: yes, always. Transmog's a nice "oops, I picked the wrong thing and want to change" option.[N] SpockYoda: That's interesting. Always assumed it was going away.[N] Ryme: Transmog was designed with a lot of limitations that make it intentionally not very optimal except for those situations.[N] Ryme: That's why it resets level and such, so that even if you switch mid-run, it's too much of a burden, and you can't still be "competitive" ... whatever that will mean.[N] blackmatter615: How will it work with different "runs" will it let you jump runs?[N] Ryme: nah, it'll do what it does now -- just change class, reset XP/level, and clear out buffs.[N] Antikythera: I always thought the 20k was daunting so I put off switching from my corrupt amulet[N] Ryme: Heck, it used to be 10%, with no cap.[N] SpockYoda switched talismans the first time a few days before the change happened[N] blackmatter615: will the rubble fields return (merit badge question)[N] Ryme: Not sure about the rubble fields. Very unlikely the badge will be obtainable in the future, but that theme may come back. [N] blackmatter615 grumbles and mutters disliking of unattainable beta badges[N] Ryme: I feel your pain, blackmatter, but in some ways unobtainable badges are a better way to reward dedicated players than any other unobtainable object, like an item or skill.[N] Ryme: While it's early, I want to take a moment to place a plug for next month's Item of the Month. It's very content heavy. Not just the most extensive one ever, but truly massive in scope.[N] Ryme: And of course I've made sure there's a way for non-donators to sample the experience.[N] Zillow: It sounds fun =)[N] SpockYoda: Awesome. Definitely going to get it.[N] Nycteris: Color me intrigued [N] Ryme: May's IotM may also be the "tide the game over until retcon" donation lure. The few after that may be more basic equipment so I can focus on the big stuff.[N] Trog: So, I'm guessing that Tea time is postponed then?[N] Trog: Chat dying sucks.[N] Ryme: um, Tea Time is now, Trog.[N] SpockYoda: Awesome. So do you think retcon may come at some point in the summer?[N] blackmatter615: or before christmas even?[N] Ryme: Well, I have to start by saying at one time I thought retcon would come last summer. But ... sometime this year would be nice. Possibly late summer.[N] Ryme: It really is becoming top priority, and even though my recent contributions don't necessarily show it, a lot of the last few major updates have been leading up to it.[N] Zillow: Like NCI?[N] Ryme: NCI is definitely a teaser for bigger things to come.[N] AldenteVonTino: ie: possible pre-programming?[N] Ryme: more like just getting components streamlined, and putting in parts that will be expanded, Aldente. [N] blackmatter615: are the nci live building and the castle eventually going to have associated quests?[N] Ryme: Castle was always meant to have a quest, but that'll probably be outside the scope of retcon. Not sure what to do with later-level quests like that, if they'll be optional or become included. [N] SpockYoda: Any hints on how skill points will work with skill perming in retcon?[N] Heather Robinson: ...assuming that's even finalized yet..[N] Ryme: I think the forums skill points discussion has always had a pretty consistent explanation for my intentions.[N] Ryme: Skills will be permed. Skill points will never be. But there will be ways to get extra points, beyond the 2/level given now.[N] Zillow: What are your views on one day runs?[N] Ryme: I have no real opinion on what a run "should" look like. I don't really even know fully what a run will entail.[N] Ryme: I do tend to think that a few days seems like it would be a more satisfying accomplishment than something that could be pushed through in a single day. Just in terms of repetitiveness, or size of the accomplishment. [N] blackmatter615: assuming there will be runs, you could say a more difficult run requires x number of quests completed, so you could pick from like castle, and space bots and clock stuff if you arent going for 100%[N] Ryme: blackmatter, there's a LOT still to be decided about types of runs, and requirements. I'll be posting more in the forum thread soon to re-instigate that discussion.[N] Ryme: I'm 99.5% sure I wouldn't want to ever require space robots or the clock quest, though. Those are just bonuses with their own rewards. Potentially they might add a small bonus to the "score" for a run if done within a set of restrictions (ronin, hardcore, equivalents, say.)[N] The Supernaturalist: are we having any more bounties of the month?[N] Ryme: SN, I kind of ran out of bounties. Haven't had anything to really ask people to do. If I think of one I'll do it.[N] Trog: Will leader boards reset if someone goes through retcon?[N] Ryme: Trog, I've always intended two sets -- one for current run, one for lifetime, or something along those lines.[N] Trog: Makes sense. Thanks[N] The Supernaturalist: though you've run out of bounties, that *doesnt* mean (merit badges aside) that there isnt anything else in the game left to be discovered though correct?[N] Ryme: Of course not, SN. There are secrets. Definitely a lot of spading left. Plus a few other random mysteries.[N] Heather Robinson: will the space station remain unlocked for anyone who unlocked it prior to retcon?[N] Ryme: I think space station will require re-unlocking every time. If the current setup gets too tedious, it may be streamlined a bit.[N] The Supernaturalist: how much new content are you planning for the initial release of retcon to include?[N] Ryme: I don't have an answer for that, really, SN. Definitely one final showdown quest with The Mick. Ideally a bunch of extra flavor around the types of runs, and leaderboards.[N] Ryme: Beyond that ... I may try to just get it done, and then fill in more. I don't want to get too sidetracked, with a massive playstyle shift waiting for release.[N] Ryme: I really expect retcon to be something that changes how a lot of people play, and boosts their enjoyment of the game tremendously. I also think it will help keep people longer, and bring them back more often. And also draw more from KoL's crowd.[N] Ryme: In fact, I'm counting on it generating a bit of critical mass for growth, rather than staying mostly flat for two years.[N] SpockYoda: I like that leveling will be a necessary part of any optimal aftercore playstyle because skill points aren't permed. It makes for another interesting dimension of the game.[N] Ryme: True, Spock. More so than just leveling, I'm hoping there will be a lot of variety in the choices. Different types of runs may lead to investing skill points in wildly different skills.[N] SpockYoda: Absolutely. Much more strategy involved.[N] blackmatter615: strategy==doubleplus good[N] Ryme: At least I hope that's how it will work.[N] AldenteVonTino loves strategy[N] Lichen: how will implementation take place, as an all at once or piece by piece?[N] Ryme: retcon? I think it's just got to go in all at once.[N] Ryme: Which is to say, the pieces I could do on their own, I've done. Like skill points.[N] blackmatter615: whats the next biggest piece of implementation after retcon?[N] Ryme: oh, don't ask me that. There IS no after retcon, yet. [N] The Supernaturalist: retcon wont be finished per se for a looong while though right[N] Ryme: somewhere between two months and never, I suppose. [N] Ryme: Retcon's going to be a massive, slow, error-prone process. After the coding and testing and implementation, the release will probably keep me busy for weeks just patching stuff. After that I'll need a break, and time to regroup and get philosophical before deciding what's next.[N] AldenteVonTino: Can't Fight, Gotta Work: Will there ever be a chance to quit one's job and own a business if one gains X chips or something?[N] SpockYoda: Ha. It would make me laugh if the long-awaited mall could only ever be reached in a KoL-Valhalla equivalent, and never in the normal game. Wouldn't make much sense, but it'd be funny.[N] Malk-a-mite: Dead Heroes Knick Knacks and Outlet Spock?[N] SpockYoda: Something like that, Malk. [N] Ryme: Yeah, Aldente, I always meant to have a way to quit your job. It's possibly part of the leagues thing that's been in the wings forever. Also possibly a retcon option/upgrade.[N] The Supernaturalist: will retcon limit the items players can use past their level requirements?[N] The Supernaturalist: (such as a hagnks)[N] Ryme: that's still up in the air, SN, and may vary depending on the type of run.[N] Lichen: will there be class specific quests as part of retcon?[N] Ryme: I'd like some class-specific quests, but that's the sort of thing that may get pushed off until afterward.[N] SpockYoda: Are any old IotM's going to be changed with Retcon? For balancing, or whatever.[N] Ryme: Very unlikely, unless we discover it's absolutely unnecessary. I don't like to touch things people have donated for.[N] Ryme: One possibility is requiring the "passable pilot" skill to operate the VHF-1 fighter in jet mode.[N] Ryme: So, anything else? We've got just a couple minutes left to wrap up.[N] Lichen: how will sidekick skills transfer into retcon?[N] Ryme: Sidekick skills may need a little ironing out, but the rough plan is you'll earn it the first time through, but have them from the start on future runs.[N] Zillow: Oh, I have a question. Why do trades disappear so quickly while some stay for a long time? [N] Ryme: They should have a fixed duration.[N] Ryme: Like 7-ish days from completion.[N] Zillow: I have one from 02/05/2009 and some from 04/19/2010[N] Ryme: all are completed?[N] Zillow: Ya[N] Ryme: Hm.... I'll look into it.[N] Cristiona deletes Zillow's account, "Problem solved!"[N] Ryme: Permanent records take up a lot of space. If you want permanence, a spreadsheet may be your friend. I don't think most people need more than a week as evidence of a trade, and won't clean them up if it's not automatic.[N] SpockYoda: What about a feature that would allow you to loan something to someone and then give it back to you after so long.[N] Ryme: Loan system is a definite no-go. SYSTEM MESSAGE: Okay, I'm gonna wrap this up. Thanks to everyone for your questions. Seeya next time.